Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1887-12-24

an Chrismus tree is a purity sight ef'tain't
trimmed wild nuthin' mo- dan yaller oranges
an strings O chinkypins."
"But what about the grown folks,
Mammy?" asked sweet young Aunt Lo-
raine, plaintively.
"Now, honey, is dat you a-talkin'?" in
quired Nanny, with gentle disdain. SIS
dat Louvoir a-actin' as if dey want no way
to do, but jes to glib up to de stress OBJ dey
surroundin's?'
All! the Louvor pride How readily it
rose in response to any challenge!
II shall not permit myselfto be conquered
by circumstances any more than another
Nanny" flashed forth the young girl
proudly, $50 while you are workingin behalf
of the children, Mrs. Van Dorm and 1 will
see what can be done for the entertainment
of the older people"
at done run in my min," said Nanny
slyly, dat Mas Captain Robert Moore,
'scusin' dat wound in de lef' foot, would be
a pow'ful sight O help to you all ladies wild
yo' ixin's. Some folks do say" with a
feigned pity, "as how dat po brave soldier
gemmen done got a sharp wound in he hyart,
too, lately. Look lax somebody ought to
take an cyore him O. one of dem wounds,
shore" And 1 saw flush of pink stain
Aunt Loraines cheek, as lying in my trun-
dle-bed I watched her through the open nur
sery door.
Had she wounded the tall, handsome
soldiers hearth I wondered, or was Miss
Allie Tyrrell the culprit? Even l, with
all the open-eyed sagacity of seven years,
had not been able to discover, and 1 doubt
&c Amt Lorraine barsaf kpau for tho
goung man seemed equally impressed with
the charms of each.
Nanny went off sing ing cheerily,
My knees is a-achin',
My body's all a-rackin' wild pain,
But do believe I'm child OBJ de Lawd,
An III git home bye-an'bye,
while l, lulled by her grooming, went to
sleep with happy heart.
The enemy were reported to be advancing
upon the city nearest to our village, and at
any day news of its capture might reach us.
After that, we ON the outskirts had naught
to expect but the presence of scouting par
ties, or even of the army itself, so the out
look was not favorable for festive prepare
ton, but nothing daunted both Nanny and
Aunt Lorraine ON the morrow set bravely to
work.
There was a sound of revelry by night"
recited Aunt Lorraine dramatically, that even
ing, as she, young Mrs. Van Dorm, Miss Allie
Tyrrell and the wounded captain sat together
in the back parlor after holding consulta-
ton. "And while we are in the midst of our
festivities" she predicted, land crying On
with the dance, let Joy be uncontined! the
enemy will burst in upon us and the scene
at 'Belgum's capital again be enacted"
at will be fair women and brave men in
this case" said Mrs. Van Dorm with sigh
for her absent soldier husband.
ooh, mop exclaimed Miss Allie Tyrrell,
don't forget to count dear old grandpa and
all the boy cousins, for of course they will
be present. Oh! for the presence of that
bright, sparkling troop of Washington
Artillery we had with us last summer What
coadjutors we would have in them! What
vim and nerve to carry forward our enter
tainment! What artistic and musical talent
to lend it attractiveness ~
"You underrate my abilities by the COM
parison, Miss Allie" said Captain Moore
laughingly; sis this your method to inclte
me to unusual effort?"
mo, indeedp ' she answered with CO.
quettish glance. Never fear that you are
undervalued, Captain Moore. l only sighed
for talent as represented by large number
of persons, for where could one find greater
supply in a small number than scintillates
from this brilliant group?"
"How Fortunate said Aunt Lorraine,
that we have piano at our command! So
many of those noble instruments have run
away of late to escape the enemy that ours
is the sole representative of its class in this
community"
Mrs. Van Dorm, you will sing for us that
night, She Wore Wreath of Roses the
Night When First we Met won't you?"
coaxed Miss Allie. And oh Lorraine"
clasping her hands enthusiastically, "why
can we not have a tableau while she sings,
representing the young girl, with her wreath
of roses, sitting after the ball is DONE gazing
at her lovers picture?'
THAT would be very pretty" answered
Aunt Lorraine.
"And you shall be the girl" said Miss
Allie decisively; land the picture in that
mysterious locket you wear will serve admir-
ably for the lovers portrait"
Did Captain Moore lift his head with a
startled glance? If so, he quickly concealed
it by asking with interest, "And who is to
wear the orange blossoms in the next verseP'
while he gazed admiringly at Miss Allie.
"Could fill such position with grace?"
she asked with deprecating glance from be-
meath her long lashes.
"Who could fill it better?" asked the gal
liant captain. "AhP' with a feigned air of
detection, chow sad the fate which debars
me from applying for license in person!
For of course your grandfather, the old
rector, will officiate as our priest and the
whole matter could be done up in orthodox
style"
First catch your hare" quoted Miss Allie
saucily, land you, Lorraine, f" turning quickly
to my aunt, "can wear the widows cap in
the next verse. You will have time to change
your costume during the wedding ceremony,
and that will bring everything around just
right"
"Humph! jes' right, indeedp shifted
Nanny from the door; "Pll fix dat as
shore as my name is Philury; Miss Allie